Until very recently, you expected from a luxury hotel an elegant hall and great views. But increasingly, technology is implicit in the concept of luxury, and hotels are counting on to the fact that guests are used to enjoying at home the latest technological gadgets, desire a similar setup when they come to stay. We take you to a tour through the more technological establishments in the world.

Pod Hotel New York

Targeting a young, cosmopolitan crowd, fans of new technologies, this Manhattan’s Pod Hotel is inspired by the culture of the iPod, although it is called "hotel facebook" because it is all designed to interact with others. It has an in-house Pod Community Blog, open to those with reservations in the hotel. It allows guests and guests-to-be to interact, ask questions and exchange information. The blog also includes a Survival Guide.

Hotel 1000, Seattle

Hotel 1000 boasts a “silent electronic doorbell” system: housekeeping staff push a button at your door which sets off an infrared scanner inside your room. If it detects any movement, an electronic “do not disturb” sign appears and the housekeeper knows he has to come back later.

Hotel Helix, Abu Dhabi

It is supposed to be "the" hotel regarding green technology. This architecturally dramatic venue set in a helix is the most environmentally friendly ever built. The temperature and humidity of its 208 rooms are naturally regulated through an internal cascade. There is also a giant glass wall that will periodically slide open, allowing a fresh sea breeze to blow in, keeping the air circulating inside the building.

The Mama Shelter, Paris

Mama Shelter has a 24-inch iMac in each one of its 172 rooms. The iMac acts as your entertainment centre, and there is free Wi-Fi available too. In the dining area you´ll find a number of digital tables, which are basically horizontal TVs broadcasting various channels, and there is even an iMac photo booth where you can take your picture and watch as it is projected to screens all around the restaurant.